I'm looking at a new helmet that seems to be a little difficult to find from US distributors. I've found it via a distributor in Australia, but before purchasing it and having it shipped to the US, I wanted to make sure I could wear it in US races.
I'm aware that the Australian standards for bike helmets is largely considered the gold standard. Many articles that I've found say that it is more stringent the the CPSC standards. Seeing as how the helmet will have the Australian standard sticker in it and not a CPSC sticker - will that be a problem?
The USAT rule states:
5.9[/url] Helmets.
(a) Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Helmets manufactured prior to March 10, 1999 must meet or exceed the safety standards of (i) the American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z-90.4), (ii) The Snell Memorial Foundation (Protective Headgear for Bicycle Users), or (iii) ASTM F-1446 or F-1447, and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Removal of helmet cover, if required for that helmet to meet such safety standards, shall constitute an impermissible alteration in violation of this Section 5.9(a). Any violation of this Section 5.9(a) shall result in disqualification.
The key line in there I believe is "...which meets or exceeds the safety standards of teh CPSC, and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards." I know that there was a bit of a firestorm over a pro helmet at IM FL a few years ago, but I thought that the rule may have been updated since then.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I'm aware that the Australian standards for bike helmets is largely considered the gold standard. Many articles that I've found say that it is more stringent the the CPSC standards. Seeing as how the helmet will have the Australian standard sticker in it and not a CPSC sticker - will that be a problem?
The USAT rule states:
5.9[/url] Helmets.
(a) Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Helmets manufactured prior to March 10, 1999 must meet or exceed the safety standards of (i) the American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z-90.4), (ii) The Snell Memorial Foundation (Protective Headgear for Bicycle Users), or (iii) ASTM F-1446 or F-1447, and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Removal of helmet cover, if required for that helmet to meet such safety standards, shall constitute an impermissible alteration in violation of this Section 5.9(a). Any violation of this Section 5.9(a) shall result in disqualification.
The key line in there I believe is "...which meets or exceeds the safety standards of teh CPSC, and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards." I know that there was a bit of a firestorm over a pro helmet at IM FL a few years ago, but I thought that the rule may have been updated since then.
Thanks in advance for any help.